Bidé de Chavagnes to John Adams: A Translation

[dateline] On board the Royal Louis, 10 December 1781

[salute] My dear sir

The interest I take in you and your health, as well as that of your dear family, is
too sincere and constant to keep me from writing to you and to ask you for any news.
Also, I would like to reiterate my sentiments of at• { 124 } tachment that you, yours, and your compatriots have inspired in me. I wrote you at
Paris a while ago,1 but you apparently did not receive my letter, which expressed just how much I was
aware of the happy events and success against Lord Cornwallis. Accept my personal
congratulations. If Mr. Sartine, to whom I am infinitely obligated, had remained at
the ministry, I would have been able to contribute myself by commanding a ship, or
at least a large frigate, in the successful and good operations. But your poor little
captain Chavagnes cannot obtain either a commanding post or a leave to go to Paris.
He is going to a ship as second in command. I just left the Bien Aime and am now on
the Royal Louis2 heading, I believe, for Cadiz to join the Spanish. A good peace for America will
give you happiness, and will give happiness to Madame Chavagnes and me. I would be
even happier if I could return you and your dear little family back to Boston, happy
and healthy. If this could one day happen, it would give me great pleasure. I continue
today, and will in the future, in assuring you of my sincere and lasting devotion
with which I have the honor to be, my dear sir, your very humble and very obedient
servant

From John Paul Jones

[dateline] Portsmouth, N. Hampshire Decr. 10th. 1781

[salute] Dear Sir

After the command of the Alliance was usurped at L’orient, I received on board the
Ariel, the two packages from Mr. Moylan, containing the articles you directed him
to send to your Family. On my arrival at Philadelphia, I delivered them to Mr. Lovell,
agreeable to your request.1 I had, last Summer, the honor to be unanimously elected by Congress to the command
of the America, and am now superintending the Building.2 I was sorry my duty obliged me to pass through Boston without paying Mrs. Adams a
visit at your country Seat. If I can this Winter I will do myself that honor.3 I had the honor to see Mrs. Dana here lately: She was on a visit to her friend Miss
Stevens, who is on the point of Marriage with our Parson.4 Please to mention this with my respects to Mr. Dana.

I congratulate you on the glorious capture of Lord Cornwallis and { 125 } his whole Army. That conquest sets the friendship of France in the noblest light,
does the greatest honor to humanity, frees a distressed Country, and adds lusture
to the combined Arms, while Victory binds the brows of our happy chiefs with her Unspotted
Laurels!

Among the great events that have sprung from our glorious Revolution, The World has
seen with astonishment, the Belgia5 roused from their lethargy of a Century, and forced to draw the long-reluctant-Sword,
or renounce for ever all pretention to National Character. May it fall with double
Death on the heads of their insolent Enemies, and never again be sheathed till, in
mercy to Mankind, they are effectually humbled! If I am honored with any Letters from
you, please to address under cover to the Minister of Finance Philadelphia.6 I am, Dear Sir, with great respect Your Excellencie’s most Obedient and most humble
Servant,

[signed] PAUL JONES

NB. I presume you are already acquainted with the bearer Major Sherburne, who lost
his Leg on the Rhode Island expedition?7

2. Congress appointed Jones to the command of the ship of the line America on 26 June (JCC, 20:698), but he never sailed as her captain. For the fate of the America, which was ultimately turned over to France, see vol. 10:25.